Self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter

ABSTRACT

A self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter includes a first module, a second module and an air purification system. The first module defines a first temporary living space. The second module defines a second temporary living space. The air purification system is in fluid communication with the first temporary living space and provides a source of filtered air to the first temporary living space. The second module is in fluid communication with the first module such that the source of filtered air passes from the first temporary living space to the second temporary living space. The air purification system generates a positive airflow through the first and second temporary living spaces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the protection againstchemical, germicidal and nuclear weapons. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Chemical and germicidal agents have seldom been dispersed inaerosol form, the exposure mode most likely to inflict widespreaddisease. Therefore, historical experience provides little informationabout the potential impact of a biological attack or the possibleefficacy of post-attack measures such as vaccination, antibiotictherapy, or quarantine. The possibility of a terrorist attack usingchemical or germicidal weapons is especially difficult to predict,detect, and prevent.

[0003] The potential risk presented by chemical and germicidal agentswas demonstrated by an accidental aerosolized release of anthrax sporesfrom a military microbiology facility in Sverdlovsk in the former SovietUnion in 1979. This event resulted in at least 79 cases of anthraxinfection and 68 deaths. An anthrax aerosol would be odorless andinvisible following release and would have the potential to travel manykilometers before disseminating. Evidence suggests that following anoutdoor aerosol release, persons indoors could be exposed to a similarthreat as those outdoors.

[0004] Because of the above discussed factors, chemical and germicidalattacks are among the most feared terrorist scenarios. The civilianpopulations of countries such as Israel and more recently the UnitedStates have sought various solutions for protection against attacks.Most commonly, the civilian population has purchased gas masks foremergency use. While gas masks may potential filter certain chemicalsand germicides from the air, their benefits are severely limited. Forexample, it is very difficult to obtain a proper fit for a gas mask thatwould be suitable to filter an air source that has been contaminatedfrom chemical, germicidal or nuclear attack. Additionally, the generalcivilian public is not suitably trained for proper gas mask use.Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, many known chemicals andgermicides can be lethal if absorbed through the skin.

[0005] Accordingly, it remains a need in the art to provide a temporaryshelter for the protection against a chemical, germicidal or nuclearterrorist attack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In general, the present invention relates to the protectionagainst chemical, germicidal and nuclear weapons. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a self-contained and ventilated temporaryshelter.

[0007] In one embodiment, the self-contained and ventilated temporaryshelter of the present invention includes a PVC casing that is supportedby PVC tubing. The shelter further includes an air purification systemhaving a filtration media to filter out chemical agents, a hepa filterto trap microscopic particles, and a UV germicidal filtration unit tofilter out and kill pathogens. The unit is powered by AC/DC or alternatepower sources, including but not limited to batteries, natural gas andcombustible fuels.

[0008] A potential advantage of the present invention is the provisionof a self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter that providespersonal protection against chemical, biological and nuclear agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a self-contained andventilated temporary shelter constructed in accordance with theteachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] The following description of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0012] Referring to the simplified perspective view of FIG. 1, aself-contained and ventilated temporary shelter constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown and generally identified at reference number 10. Inthe particular embodiment illustrated, the self-contained and ventilatedtemporary shelter is shown to be of module construction and include afirst module 12 and a second module 14. However, it will become apparentbelow that the teachings of the present invention are not limited to anyparticular number of modules. Explaining further, the subject inventionmay alternatively include one module or three or more modules.

[0013] The first module 12 defines a first temporary living space 16.The first temporary living space 16 is particularly defined by a clearPVC casing 18 that is supported by a plurality of PVC tubes 20. Thecasing 18 is hermitically sealed in a manner well known in the art andis shown in the preferred embodiment to include four walls, a roof and afloor. The second module 14 is substantially identically constructed todefine a second temporary living space 19 and need not be separatelydescribed in detail.

[0014] The present invention further includes an air purification system22. The air purification system 22 is in fluid communication with thefirst temporary living space 16 through an air filter connector 24. Theair purification system 22 provides a source of filtered air to thefirst temporary living space 16. In the preferred embodiment, the airpurification system 22 includes a filtration media to filter outchemical agents, a hepa filter to trap microscopic particles, and a UVgermicidal filtration unit to filter out and kill pathogens. Insofar asthe present invention is concerned, the filtration media, the hepafilter, and the germicidal filtration unit are conventional inconstruction and operation. The air purification system 22 is powered byAC/DC or an alternate power sources, including but not limited tobatteries, natural gas and combustible fuels.

[0015] The first module 12 is shown secured to the second module 14. Thefirst module includes a plurality of air release valves 26 permittingthe source of filtered air to pass from the first temporary living space16 to the second temporary living space 19. The second module 14includes a plurality of air release valves 28 permitting the source offiltered air to exit the second temporary living space 19.Significantly, the air purification system 22 operates to generate apositive airflow through the first and second temporary living spaces 16and 19. The positive air flow functions to prevent chemical, germicidaland nuclear agents from entering the living spaces 16 and 19 despitesmall tears or holes that may be in the casing 18.

[0016] While other forms of fastening may be used, the first and secondmodules 12 and 14 are illustrated secured to one another through azipper 30. The zipper 30 completely surrounds the shelter 10. In aconventional manner, cooperating sets of zipper teeth are carried byboth of the first and second modules 12 and 14. The zipper teeth havetight tolerances such that the positive airflow through the shelter 10prevents unwanted agents from passing through the zipper. In a similarmanner, additional modules can be added to the shelter 10.

[0017] The first and second modules 12 and 14 are shown to cooperate todefine a passageway for permitting an occupant to directly pass betweenthe first temporary living space 16 and the second temporary livingspace 19. A closure panel 32 is provided for selectively closing thepassageway between the first temporary living space 16 and the secondtemporary living space 19. The closure panel 32 is secured to the casing18 with a zipper 34. In one application, the closure panel 32 has awidth of approximately four feet and a height of approximately fourfeet. Similar closure panels 32 are provided on opposing walls of bothof the first and second modules 12 and 14 to provide for entry and exit.

[0018] In one particular application, the first module 12 has a heightof approximately six feet, a width of approximately eight feet and alength of approximately ten feet. In this particular application, thesecond module 14 has substantially identical dimensions. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the particular dimensions of the modules12 and 14 of the subject invention are not critical and may be readilymodified.

[0019] In use, the shelter 10 is maintained in an area of a home (suchas a basement) in a ready to use condition (as shown in FIG. 1). In theevent of a chemical, germicidal or nuclear attack, the members of thehousehold would immediately proceed to the shelter 10. The shelter 10would be equipped with essential items to maintain occupant comfort forapproximately 72 hours. Such items may include a portable toilet, foodrations, a telephone, a radio, a television, and sleeping bags. Theclear PVC of the casing 18 allows for viewing therethrough such that atelevision could be positioned outside the shelter 12 with a remotecontrol within the shelter. The occupants would remain within theshelter 10 until an “all clear” signal is received.

[0020] In the event that a member of the house is delayed in enteringthe shelter (e.g., due to a commute) the original shelter occupants canseal themselves within the first temporary living area 16. When thedelayed member arrives, he or she can be sealed within the secondtemporary living area 19. In this manner, the occupants of the firsttemporary living area 16 can be protected against any possiblecontamination of the occupant of the second temporary living area 19.The second temporary living area 19 will receive the source of purifiedair from the system 22, but the generated positive airflow will preventany unwanted agents from passing from the second temporary living area19 to the first temporary living area 16.

[0021] The description of the present invention is merely exemplary innature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of thepresent invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter, the shelter comprising: a first module defining a first temporary living space; an air purification system in fluid communication with the first temporary living space, the air purification system for providing a source of filtered air to the first temporary living space; a second module defining a second temporary living space, the second module being in fluid communication with the first module such that the source of filtered air passes from the first temporary living space to the second temporary living space; whereby the air purification system generates a positive airflow through the first and second temporary living spaces.
 2. The self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter of claim 1, wherein the first module includes at least one air release valve permitting the source of filtered air to pass from the first temporary living space to the second temporary living space.
 3. The self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter of claim 2, wherein the second module includes at least one air release valve permitting the source of filtered air to exit the second temporary living space.
 4. The self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter of claim 1, wherein the first module is connected to the second module through a zipper.
 5. The self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter of claim 1, wherein the first and second modules cooperate to define a passageway for permitting an occupant to directly pass from the first temporary living space to the second temporary living space.
 6. The self-contained and ventilated temporary shelter of claim 5, further comprising a closure panel for selectively closing the passageway between the first temporary living space and the second temporary living space. 